Eiffel Tower Closed As Strikes Snarl Travel in France

The Eiffel Tower, which hosts as many as 20,000 visitors a day, was closed Tuesday amid ongoing strikes that have snarled traffic and brought public transportation to a standstill.

While large-scale strikes are a way of life in France, the protest against a proposed change to the country’s labor laws is huge: Seven unions and student organizations are taking part in the action.

The company that operates the Eiffel Tower said that some personnel had joined the action, making it impossible to open the monument, according to Agence France Presse.

The shuttered tower and the crowded streets are disappointing tourists who have come to the city for the Euro Cup soccer tournament.

“That’s a shame for tourists because we didn't just come for the Euros but also the sightseeing,” a German tourist told the Associated Press, referring to closures in Paris. “We’ve found out there are strikes everywhere.”

In a separate protest, Air France pilots are also on strike, protesting pay cuts and demanding better working conditions. About 20 percent of the airline’s flights were canceled Tuesday, impacting travel across Europe.

Union officials are hopeful for a deal that would end the strike before the Euro Cup begins on Friday, while Air France announced flights should resume a normal schedule Wednesday.